Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-12-15
TARIFF LEGISLATION
IN THE NEXT CONGRESS DISCUSSED BY
MILLS. OP TEXAS,
Who Will Probably Succeed 10 MOrrisOIS Placs-A
Measure for Tariff Revision Will Pass the
House and bs Presented to the
Senate Soon.

New YORK, December ii. The Worlds
Washington correspondent has had an in
terview with Representative Mills, OF
Texas, who will probably be Chairman Of
the Committee of Ways and Means. He
is quoted as saying: II heartily agree
with President Cleveland's tariff ideas, as
put forth in his message. While believe
that an advalorem tariff is the only fair
and wise measure, still l will vote for
specific tariff, if by that means can get
bill passed reducing taxes"
do you think bill will be passed by
Congress reducing the tariff"
"If Congress does its duty, it will pass
measure lowering duties and DECREASING
revenue"
"Do 20 think there will be much differ
ence of opinion about the bill?"
well, there are many interests that
imagine that they will be hurt by low du-
ties and helped by high ones, and ofcourse
they will be heard from; but | hope We
NAV be able 70 harmonic these conflicting
opinions, and pass hill making substan-
tial reductions.
"will the bill, do you think, pass the
Senator"
81 cannot tell abont that. lam inclined
to think some bill will pass the Senate. 1t
may not be what we want, and we may
quarrel some over it in q legislative way,
and then agree on something. Constituted
as the two Shouses are now, it Is hard to
predict what phase the bill will wear
when it gets through, if it should succeed
at all"
"Do you think the tariff will be the
issue in the campaign OF 1882"
There is no doubt of il, and am glad
that we have the battle pitched on it. We
can win the fight if we do not get frighten-
ed aud fly the field
"Do you think that any measure affect
ing the tariff that may be passed by this
Congress will make itself felt in the coun-
try at large, or in time to have any effect
on the campaign Of lSSS?'
"Ifthe tariff is lowered considerably and
should be passed by the first OF April, to
take effect June 80, the prices of our eX-
ports will go up before the bill takes effect,
and before November the improved condi-
ton Of agriculture, manufactures and
commerce will be very perceptible."
Would you reduce Or repeal the inter-
nal tax on tobacco"
"No, l would not If | could pass the
bill myself, but cannot and shall have
to get the hest can and he content with
it. The President has laid down in his
mess ge the true principles-tax luxurles
high, neCessaTies of life low If taxed at all.
People can do without tobacco better than
they can do without shirts and shoes"
The Republicans say the Democrats
are in favor OF free trade and mean TO do
away with Customs?'
THAT is AL silly. We speak Of free
trade as we do Of free men. Yet free men
have to he taxed to support tine govern
ment, ard so does trade. When we say
free men We mean men who refuse to wear
unnecessary burdens, and when We speak
of free trade We mean trade stripped ot
unnecessary burdens. We had custom
houses ana tariffs from the beginning and
will have them to the end"
Mr. Mills expressed confidence that a
tariff measure would pass the House with
out much debate, and that it would be
presented to the Senate at an early day.